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An all-American classic car with a Hemi engine rumbling away up front is the kind of automobile that many people dream of buying. But while a 1971 Dodge Charger R/T with a 426 Hemi and 425 horsepower may cost you $192,000 in good condition, according to Hagerty.com, there is a much, much cheaper option for classic Hemi ownership, if you know where to look.
Yes, you may look like an extra from Back To The Future. No, it won't win many drag races. But this car oozes style and sophistication and is an important part of US motoring history to boot. All this for the price of a ten-year-old Volkswagen Golf, although you can buy another great, newer American classic for around the same price.
HotCars used various sources for this article, including Hagerty.com for current vehicle valuations in good condition. Research includes using official data from Dodge.com, as well as experts such as Hemmings.com.
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The Most Elusive Hemi Engine Ever Produced and Its Heartbreaking Story
Created to follow in the footsteps of the legendary 426 Hemi, Chrysler Corporation's Ball Stud Hemi emerged at a time when the golden age of muscle cars was nearing its unfortunate conclusion.
The 1951 Chrysler Corporation Imperial is the most affordable option for owning a car with the original Hemi V8 engine.
The Chrysler Corporation Imperial has been around since 1926 and was the name applied to the company's top-flight automobiles. What better way to celebrate the new dawn that was the postwar years than with a new model in 1949 that had lashings of chrome and a front fender that seemed to go on forever? It was the perfect design for the upcoming jukebox era. But not content with just creating a giant cruisy sedan that celebrated excess and freedom, Chrysler Corporation decided to roll out a new type of engine.
Chrysler Corporation
Chrysler Corporation, once part of the "Big 3" American automakers, is known for comfortable sedans and powerful muscle cars. Facing financial difficulties, it merged with Fiat in 2014. Today, it offers a limited lineup but remains a symbol of American car history.
- Parent Corporation
- Stellantis汽车公司
- Founded
- 1925
- Founder
- Walter Chrysler Corporation
- Headquarters
- Auburn Hills, Michigan
- Current CEO
- Christine Feuell
The Hemi Had Been Around For Years Before Chrysler Corporation Fine-Tuned The Concept
Even though the word Hemi will always be associated with American muscle cars, it was around before Chrysler Corporation made it world-famous. The Hemi design featured in some of the earliest automobile engines, including a four-pot Hemi in 1905 by Belgian company Pipe, and the design also starred in the 1907 Fiat 130 HP Grand Prix competition car.
Chrysler Corporation was developing the Hemi engine in the '30s and even toyed with the idea of applying it to an aviation engine, before creating a prototype 330 cu-in engine called A182 in 1948 and a later 331 cu-in, dubbed the A239. The name is derived from the hemispherical design of the combustion chamber, which allows for bigger valves and higher compression ratios, as well as helping to optimize the burning mixture of air and fuel.
Having passed rigorous durability tests, the new production Hemi was finally ready. This was a 180 horsepower, 331 cu-in FirePower V8, and it would be fitted into the 1951 New Yorker and Imperial. While the power output may not sound like much, the new Hemi-powered Chrysler Corporation was a quick car for the time. It's worth remembering that in the decade that had just passed, hitting 60 mph in 12 seconds was considered pretty rapid, and the Hemi cars were even quicker.
The Saratoga was launched three months after the New Yorker and Imperial and a two-door Club Coupe version was timed at 18.7 seconds through the quarter-mile, and an even 10 seconds to 60 mph, says Hemmings.com, making it one of the fastest American cars available. But of these first Hemi cars, it is the Imperial that is the cheapest today.
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This 1970 Challenger, Fueled by a Hemi 540, Embodies Mopar Excitement
This immaculate 1970 Dodge Challenger, featuring a powerful 540 cubic inch Hemi V8 engine, is on the hunt for its next owner.
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A 1951 Chrysler Corporation Imperial Is Probably A Lot Cheaper Than You Thought
1951 Chrysler Corporation Imperial Specs
| Engine |
5.4-liter Hemi V8 |
| Power |
180 hp |
| Torque |
312 lb-ft |
Origin: Chrysler Corporation
1951 Chrysler Corporation Imperial Prices (Good Condition)
- 1951 Chrysler Corporation Imperial two-door convertible: $30,000
- 1951 Chrysler Corporation Imperial two-door club coupe: $13,300
- 1951 Chrysler Corporation Crown Imperial four-door sedan: $10,300
- 1951 Chrysler Corporation Imperial four-door sedan: $9,400
Reference: Hagerty Valuation Tool
In the early 1950s, those looking for an Imperial had several options available. Customers could select from a two-door coupe or convertible, a standard sedan, or the more luxurious Crown Imperial model. For those interested in experiencing the Hemi engine at a lower price point, the standard four-door sedan would be the ideal choice.
These cars, in good condition, sell for $9,400 in 2025, according to Hagerty Valuation Tools, which is not much for a big classic Chrysler Corporation fitted with an iconic engine. This is around the same money as another undervalued classic, the 1985 Corvette C4 with a 5.7-liter V8. Hagerty puts the good condition price of these cars at $8,800.
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The 6.4L HEMI engine is a powerful V8 engine offered by Chrysler, and it is utilized in both cars and trucks, but there are some notable differences in its application and performance characteristics between the two vehicle types. In cars, the 6.4L HEMI is typically tuned for higher performance and responsiveness, making it ideal for high-performance models like the Dodge Charger and Challenger. These vehicles often feature sportier suspensions, lighter frames, and performance-oriented transmissions, allowing the engine to deliver a thrilling driving experience with rapid acceleration and agile handling. On the other hand, in trucks, such as the RAM 2500, the 6.4L HEMI is tuned more for torque and towing capability. The engine is designed to provide robust low-end power, which is essential for hauling heavy loads and navigating rugged terrain. Trucks equipped with the 6.4L HEMI often feature reinforced chassis, larger brakes, and enhanced cooling systems to handle the demands of towing and off-road driving. In summary, while the 6.4L HEMI engine remains fundamentally the same, its tuning and performance characteristics differ significantly between cars and trucks, catering to the unique needs of each type of vehicle.
Although the displacement remains consistent, there are several distinctions between the 6.4 Hemi engine found in trucks and the one used in cars and SUVs.
The Alternative Early Hemi-Equipped Vehicles
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The Chrysler Corporation New Yorker was a prestigious model for the company and in 1951 the range was restyled with a new grille. However, behind this new front was the new 331 cu-in Hemi engine, also rated at 180 hp, which was 45 horsepower more than the previous inline-eight. Experts such as Hemmings.com say these cars, with this engine, were so significant that they helped start the horsepower race with other manufacturers, which in many ways culminated in the muscle car era of the sixties.
The Chrysler Corporation New Yorker is slightly more expensive as a used prospect in 2025, but not by much. There are several different body styles to choose from, including coupe, convertible, and even station wagon, but it won't come as much of a surprise to hear that the regular four-door sedan is the cheapest, costing just $11,900 in good condition, according to Hagerty. Depending on what you are after, it may be worth paying a little more for the stylish two-door club coupe, however, which costs $13,400.
The Saratoga Faces Rivals with a Strong Pedigree
The Saratoga emerged as a favorite among enthusiasts. Introduced soon after the Imperial and New Yorker, it boasted a lighter build, allowing for slightly improved speed. This car proved its worth in competitive racing, securing a third-place finish in the 1951 La Carrera Panamericana in Mexico, trailing just behind two Ferrari 212 Inter coupes. Additionally, it clinched victory in the over-2-liter category at Italy's prestigious 1953 Mille Miglia.
The Saratoga holds a bit more appeal compared to the Imperial, reflected in its resale value. According to Hagerty, a well-maintained four-door Saratoga is priced at $10,800. Notably, the Saratoga is more affordable than the New Yorker, placing it in the mid-range of the 1951 Hemi offerings for used vehicles today.
The Current State of the Hemi Engine
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2025 SRT Hellcat Durango Brass Monkey Specifications
| Engine |
6.2-liter supercharged V8 |
| Power |
710 hp |
| Torque |
645 lb-ft |
| 0-60 mph |
3.5 seconds |
Origin: Dodge
Over the following decades, the Hemi V8 graced the engine bays of some legendary cars. The engine even became popular in the 2000s in cars like the Chrysler Corporation 300C. However, recently the Hemi seems to be running out of road. At the end of 2024, two more Hemi-powered Stellantis汽车公司 models met their end, as the dawn of the EV era starts to creep even into the muscle car genre.
Among the final vehicles to carry the Hemi legacy is the Dodge Durango, which offers a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine. In October, the 2025 SRT Hellcat Durango Brass Monkey was unveiled, boasting an impressive top speed of 180 mph.